Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
BROOKSVILLE - Six games into their first season of varsity play, Nature Coast Tech finally is getting a crack at a county opponent.
The Sharks will play at Central on Friday, and forgive the Sharks if their excitement is spilling over.
"Most heated rivalry ever," Nature Coast quarterback Billy Hughes said.
Ever?
The two teams never have played before, but the Sharks have gotten plenty of taunting and teasing from the Bears, or so they claim.
Some of the players, such as Hughes, who attend the second-year school transferred from Central, so a lot of the Sharks and Bears know each other from the old days.
"They talk a lot of this," Sharks receiver Josh Ortiz said, motioning a yapping mouth with his hand. "They don't respect us."
When it was pointed out that the Sharks (1-4) have not won a game since their season opener against Shorecrest Prep (Central is 4-2), Ortiz and Hughes conceded.
"Yeah, there's no reason to respect us," Hughes said, but added "that respect will be earned."
Central lineman Andy Leavine said he would not approach it differently from any other game, but he too added a thought on the opponent.
"They sure talk a lot," Leavine said of NCT.
FIRED UP: Hernando Christian appears to be inching closer to where it wants to be, following last week's 9-6 loss to Clearwater Calvary Christian.
"Last week we had our best week ever in practice, the kids were highly motivated," HCA coach Steve Johnson said. "We've kept momentum going."
The Lions are in the midst of a three-game homestand, with Lake Mary Friday and Coral Springs Christian Tuesday (a makeup from a Sept. 4 postponement).
It is coinciding with the team's best stretch of play so far, as the team scored its first points Oct. 1 on the road then nearly won its home opener.
"It's nice for the kids, it's nice for the coaches to be home," Johnson said. "The kids are playing better, they're finally getting it."
INJURY LIST: Injuries have plagued Lecanto all season, most recently star halfback Richard Chaney, who rolled his ankle severely in a second quarter kickoff against Hudson.
LeCours said Chaney may or may not start Friday against Hernando. Junior John Aponte is his back-up.
"We don't have depth," LeCours said. "I hate to make excuses, and bring out the injury bag, and being unfortunate at times, but our depth is thin."
Central's Bryan Nutter sustained a concussion against Crystal River Sept. 24 and continues to be sidelined.